Acknowledging that the NHL rosters are now frozen and that any trade including Alexander Radulov and his high salary could be tricky, Matthew DeFranks of The Dallas Morning News answered questions about whether or not the Dallas Stars could move Alexander Radulov? If so, the idea would be to clear up cap space, giving Jim Nill and the Stars an opportunity to land a young second-line center.
DeFranks was asked the question:
Looking ahead to this summer. Do you think its possible we try to move Radulov to clear up cap space? To add a bigger piece like a young 2c for hintz and guri? His NMC turns modified on july 1st.
His answer suggested it was possible but tricky based on the fact that Radulov has a no-move clause now, which changes to a modified no-trade clause on July 1 that permits him to create a 15-team no-trade list.
DeFranks also points out that Radulov didn’t have the best of seasons. He writes, “This is the player you’d be trading: a 34-year-old (on July 5) winger with a cap hit of $6.25 million that is coming off a career-worst goal-scoring year.”
If the Stars are looking for a second-line center, Radulov likely won’t get the team that.
Stars Better Served Opening Up Cap Space
DeFrank’s also notes that this season’s UFA wingers crop includes Mike Hoffman, Taylor Hall, Evgenii Dadonov, Tyler Ennis, and Tyler Toffoli. Most, if not all can be argued as better choices than Radulov who had his worst scoring year this past season.
The Stars, should they be looking to move Radulov, will have to find a way to dump his salary and use their money in other ways. A player-for-player deal here won’t likely work out in their favor.
Related: NHL Freezes Rosters and Decisions During League Pause, Bettman Comments
